Frequently Asked Questions

For Future Students: Art

For Future Students: Music

Information for the Public

For Future Students: Art

Tell me about the BFA in Art Education

The mission of the Art Education Program at Tennessee Tech University is to cultivate professional art educators who understand the discipline of art as skill development in creativity and innovation, understand the diversity of students and how they can successfully learn, and most importantly as art teachers to understand how to become empathic toward their future art students.  The art education program is based upon state, regional and national visual arts standards and reflects TTU’s educational conceptual framework for the perpetration of “competent and caring professionals for a diverse, technological society.

What classes are required to graduate with a BFA in Art Education?

View the requirements on http://www.tntech.edu/ugcurricula/art-education/  The degree program requires 120 hours of classes:  57 hours of Art including 16 hours of Studio Emphasis where they can choose from painting or craft classes such as  clay, fiber, metal, wood or glass; 28 hours in Education; 35 hours in General Core Classes.

Are all my classes taught at TTU's main campus?

No, the majority of the art/education classes will be taught at the main campus in the Bryan Fine Arts Building.  It is a 55,000 square foot structure that included 28 faculty with offices, studios and classrooms.  The art education classroom is equipped with the most up to date technology in its computer lab.  The painting studio also offers current technology and studio space for advanced painting students.
The majority of the studio emphasis classes are taught at the Appalachian Center for Craft a satellite campus near Smithville, TN located on the beautiful Center Hill Lake.  There are 6 internationally recognized fine craft faculty with staff, offices, galleries and state of the art teaching studios.  The Center promotes excellence in American Craft by teaching tradition and innovation in technique, concept and design.

What are some of the off-campus experiences that the Art Education students will be involved in?

TTU’s art education students will be involved in many field experiences in the local community and schools.  Many of these experiences are from awarded grants to the art education program.

How can I get the undergraduate catalog of classes for TTU/Craft Center?

TTU no longer prints “hard-copies” of the undergraduate catalog.  View the catalog online at http://www.tntech.edu/ugcat/.

Is financial aid available?

Yes, click on the Financial Aid main webpage on the TTU website for the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA), as well as Tennessee’s Lottery scholarship information.

Are there any scholarships for Art Education students?

Yes, for freshmen art educations students there is the Nichols’ Freshman Endowment Scholarship and the Bacchanal Scholarship.  Each require juried portfolios.

What is the deadline for applying for scholarships?

You must apply in the fall by December 15th of each year to become eligible for spring awarded scholarships.

Who is my advisor, or whom do I contact if I have any questions about a specific class?

For freshmen and sophomores your advisor will be This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and for juniors and seniors your advisor will be This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , Director of Art Education.

What are the requirements to be admitted to TTU?

The requirements to be admitted to TTU can be reviewed on the Admissions Page of the TTU website.

How do I transfer to TTU from another university or two-year college?

Visit the Transfer Equivalency page on Tennessee Tech’s website for transfer equivalency tables and evaluation processes.

How do I become certified to become a teacher?

View the TTU Teacher Education website to review the requirements for admission to the Teacher Education Program.   TTU also offers post-baccalaureate art education certification.

For more information...

Contact:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , Director of Art Education.  Tennessee Tech University, Box 5045, Cookeville, TN, 38505. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For Future Students: Music

What opportunities are available to music majors upon graduation?

There are many lifetime options for musicians.
With a bachelor’s degree in hand, one of the most common paths is to pursue an advanced degree at the masters and doctoral level. Most musicians engage in a mix of jobs and professional activities combining the roles of performer, composer, contractor, teacher, arts administrator, continuing student, volunteer, or music technologist as best suits their personal nature. Performers find employment as conductors, solo and chamber musicians, commercial or studio musicians, ensemble players, freelancers, or in military ensembles. Composers work in arranging, orchestration, commercial and film music, or as copyists. Music educators teach in private studios, public and private K-12 schools, colleges and universities, community music schools, and in early childhood music programs (Suzuki, Kindermusik, etc.).
There are many other options in arts administration, artist management, media music, music retailing, instrument repair, manufacturing and design, and the recording industry. Only the talent, skill, and imagination of the candidate limit the job prospects in music.

How do I arrange for an audition?

Students interested in auditioning for admission to the Department of Music and Art should visit the Audition Information section of this website.

Must I be a majoring in music to perform in a Departmental ensemble?

Admission to all Department music ensembles is open to all University students regardless of major. Some ensembles, however, require a successful audition, or the permission of the instructor, prior to enrollment in the course. For further information, interested students should check with the music faculty member responsible for each ensemble.

Does the University provide instruments for student use?

The Department expects music majors to own their own instruments, and non-majors performing in Department ensembles are encouraged to bring their own instruments for use in these groups. The Department of Music and Art has a limited number of University-owned instruments for student use, however. These instruments are, generally, the larger color instruments (i.e., baritone saxophone, contrabassoon, English horn, bass trombone, string bass, etc.). Please see the music faculty member responsible for each ensemble should you need to borrow a University instrument.

What scholarships are available to musicians at Tennessee Tech?

The Department of Music and Art administers a generous scholarship program for student musicians, regardless of academic major. Music majors, and all other interested musicians, must apply and be accepted to TTU, complete all required forms, and successfully audition to be considered for a music scholarship. You should audition for a music scholarship as soon as possible in the year before your entrance to the University.
Non-music majors desiring to audition for ensemble service awards should contact the University Ensemble Office (931/372-3165) for information.
For more information visit these university sites: Admissions, Financial Aid Office and Scholarships, General.

Must I major in music to qualify for a music scholarship?

The majority of music scholarships are awarded to those students declaring a music major. However, a limited amount of money is available to highly qualified student musicians who are not music majors. Non-music majors interested in receiving a music scholarship should visit the Audition Information section of this website.

How can I learn more about majoring in art or music at TTU?

Please go to the Admissions section of this web site for complete details.


Information for the Public

How do I check for upcoming events sponsored by the Department of Music and Art?

Click on one of the following to view a complete and current calendar of: concerts, exhibitions, workshops, and camps.

Where do I park when attending an event in the Bryan Fine Arts Building?

On this campus map, click on "Bryan Fine Arts Building."  For most events, parking is available in the lot across Dixie Avenue from the building. Parking is un-restricted on evenings and weekends. Campus parking is restricted between the weekday hours of 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Visitors may obtain a one-day parking pass from University Police (Phone 931/372-3234).

What if I need special accommodations at events?

On this campus map, click on #6 (Bryan Fine Arts Building) to view complete parking and accessibility information. If additional accommodations are required, please phone the Departmental Office at 931/372-3161 for further assistance.

How do I find musicians to perform at an event on campus or in the Cookeville area?

Please contact the Office of the Department of Music and Art (931/372-3161). The secretary will direct your call to the appropriate faculty member.

How do I find a private teacher for my child?

ArtsCumberland, a community arts program sponsored by the Department of Music and Art, provides quality non-credit art and music lessons to individuals of all ages and levels in the community and surrounding area. For further information about this program, please contact the Office of the Department of Music and Art (931/372-3161). The secretary will direct your call to the appropriate faculty member.

How do I donate, or have evaluated, a work of art, a musical instrument, or other tangible object?

Departmental faculty members do not appraise, but can offer advice and/or information on works of art or musical instruments. The donation of musical instruments, works of art, or other tangible items is subject to approval by the Department of Music and Art and by University Advancement. For assistance, contact the departmental office at 931/372-3161, or read about Making a Gift to Music and Art on this website.

Apply Now